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Driveway oil stains. How to remove?

C

cmf21

Senior member
I think I tried everything but still can't remove a few spots on the driveway. I was thinking of taking a power washer to it (if I had one), or trying to burn them off but it might leave marks itself. Any suggestions on what works so I don't waste any more time and money.
 
Nothing for kitty litter to soak up. When there was I used it but I'm left with a couple of big stains that won't come off.
 
Get some degreaser & hot water, let it soak a bit then use a stiff bristle brush/broom. Rinse it down with a hose, or power washer if you have access to one but I wouldn't go buy it for just that. Might have to repeat it once more depending how bad the spot was, but this has always seemed to work for me.
 
I read somewhere to let some "Coke-cola" sit on it as long as possible.
Plus the carbination gives it a good scrubbing action, and takes 2+ applications.
But it works!
 
On relatively new spots, carb cleaner works great. Coat the stain and then dab it up in under a minute. I'm not quite sure how well it'll work on old stains...but it's only $2 a can. =]
 
Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
On relatively new spots, carb cleaner works great. Coat the stain and then dab it up in under a minute. I'm not quite sure how well it'll work on old stains...but it's only $2 a can. =]
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Carb cleaner or brake parts cleaner. Basically anything with ether in it. Coat it heavily, then spray it off with a hose. No scrubbing needed.
 
Originally posted by: cmf21
Nothing for kitty litter to soak up. When there was I used it but I'm left with a couple of big stains that won't come off.
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Kitty litter (or oil dry) will pull the oil up from the cement even if there's no puddle. You just have to leave it there for a couple of days.

ZV
 
I tried burning it off with gasoline dripped over it first. It doesn't help at all (not surprising, but it was fun). For dried patches you need a harsh cleaner. I posted this question years ago and the best advice I got here was some purple stuff that I brushed in over and over with a big broom. OR I used paint thinner. I am inclined to say now in fact that the paint thinner worked the best. It didn't take it all out but it took most of the edge off and the result was a fairly good effect. The driveway is so damn porous that it's hard to clean right up.

I cannot see how kitty litter is going to pull up dried in, weathered oil stains from concrete, which is what I had; it will have no contact with the filth.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
I cannot see how kitty litter is going to pull up dried in, weathered oil stains from concrete, which is what I had; it will have no contact with the filth.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for old stains, but I know that it will lift 2-3 day old spots and will prevent new spills from becoming stains if you leave it there for a while.

ZV
 
If your driveway is asphalt, not too sure what you can do. You didn't say what material your driveway is, so I threw that in. 🙂

For concrete, once you've degreased it (simple green works well), you could try some HTH (used to chlorinate pools) to de-spot your concrete. Keep in mind that chlorine and oil do NOT mix, so make 1000% certain you've degreased FIRST!! Otherwise, you'll be cleaning a burn spot from your driveway. 😉
 
I found out by accident that all-wheel cleaner does a great job too. It even removes rust stains from concrete. Didn't even need to brush it... just what ran off my wheels cleaned the concrete.
 
After everything else fails you can go at it with muriatic acid. Follow the directions, it's nothing to be careless with.

But, it will bleach the concrete like the day it was poured which might not match the rest of the concrete and it'll take any sealer off.

 
This stuff:
SWAB
works better than anything I've found. It managed to clean off 6-7 year old set in oil stains from our concrete driveway.
Just follow the directions, and don't get any on your hands (it burns like crazy).
 
The simplest and the best way to remove even age old oil stains is OIL GONE EASY HOME & DRIVEWAY S-200. This product has worked wonders with my driveway, that was full of oil stains from I don't know how long. It works on any surface, be it concrete or cement. The best part is, it does not require any cleanup after use. If you want to know more about it, you can check out their site at spam link removed

at mod, gillbot
 
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